Is taking medication a sin?

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waqqaskhokhar
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Is taking medication a sin?

Post by waqqaskhokhar »

I am an academic researching this topic from the point of view of patients asked to take medication which may have religiously forbidden ingredients e.g. Gelatine or stearic acid.
Would like to know that in the context of vegetarianism being accepted practice in many Buddhist traditions, is there any dietary law that prohibits any specific animals or use of animal products in medication?
Would appreciate comments, suggestions for further reading or expert opinions.
DGA
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Re: Is taking medication a sin?

Post by DGA »

Sin? Forbidden? If you're looking for analogies to the Law as in Abrahamic faiths, you're going to be frustrated. Buddhism isn't quite like that.

So you can see what I mean, take a look at this discussion on vegetarianism. Budget a few hours. Several hours.

http://www.dharmawheel.net/viewtopic.php?f=66&t=213" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Mr. G
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Re: Is taking medication a sin?

Post by Mr. G »

waqqaskhokhar wrote:I am an academic researching this topic from the point of view of patients asked to take medication which may have religiously forbidden ingredients e.g. Gelatine or stearic acid.
Would like to know that in the context of vegetarianism being accepted practice in many Buddhist traditions, is there any dietary law that prohibits any specific animals or use of animal products in medication?
Would appreciate comments, suggestions for further reading or expert opinions.
Hopefully Namdrol will respond as he is a Tibetan Doctor
  • How foolish you are,
    grasping the letter of the text and ignoring its intention!
    - Vasubandhu
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Konchog1
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Re: Is taking medication a sin?

Post by Konchog1 »

waqqaskhokhar wrote:I am an academic researching this topic from the point of view of patients asked to take medication which may have religiously forbidden ingredients e.g. Gelatine or stearic acid.
Would like to know that in the context of vegetarianism being accepted practice in many Buddhist traditions, is there any dietary law that prohibits any specific animals or use of animal products in medication?
Would appreciate comments, suggestions for further reading or expert opinions.
As far as I know, any medication is fine. Some Buddhists who are vegetarians avoid medications with animal products but that's because they're vegetarian, not because they're Buddhist.
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"All memories and thoughts are the union of emptiness and knowing, the Mind.
Without attachment, self-liberating, like a snake in a knot.
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Mental obscurations are purified and the dharmakaya is attained."

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Malcolm
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Re: Is taking medication a sin?

Post by Malcolm »

waqqaskhokhar wrote:I am an academic researching this topic from the point of view of patients asked to take medication which may have religiously forbidden ingredients e.g. Gelatine or stearic acid.
Would like to know that in the context of vegetarianism being accepted practice in many Buddhist traditions, is there any dietary law that prohibits any specific animals or use of animal products in medication?
Would appreciate comments, suggestions for further reading or expert opinions.

Nope, the traditional Buddhist medicine is Ayurveda and there are kinds of meat, as well as urines, feces, etc., recommended as remedies for diseases in Ayurvedic texts as well as texts on Tibetan Medicine.
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AdmiralJim
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Re: Is taking medication a sin?

Post by AdmiralJim »

I am trained in western medicine, the short answer is no. However some Buddhists might be put off taking things with animal products but it is a personal choice not a Buddhist one. where you might find a more unified opinion is of that of abortion and euthanasia but even then it wouldn't affect my treatment of people who wanted those things.
I don't know where we are going but it will be nice when we get there
Greg
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Re: Is taking medication a sin?

Post by Greg »

I suppose there is the issue of monastics eating garlic and so forth, but even that is not a terribly big deal I don't think.
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Wesley1982
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Re: Is taking medication a sin?

Post by Wesley1982 »

Re: Is taking medication a sin?


No.
Knotty Veneer
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Re: Is taking medication a sin?

Post by Knotty Veneer »

Is taking medication a sin?
Only if it doesn't belong to you :lol:
This is not the wrong life.
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Dexing
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Re: Is taking medication a sin?

Post by Dexing »

Knotty Veneer wrote:
Is taking medication a sin?
Only if it doesn't belong to you :lol:
:jumping:
nopalabhyate...
Simon E.
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Re: Is taking medication a sin?

Post by Simon E. »

Very good... :D
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Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche to me.
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